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200 years ago...

It was the whitest of winters. The wind stung, the snow swirled and the air forced its way into even the most protected of nests. No creature was safe from the icy deluge. It blew into burrow and bough alike, freezing all life where it quivered. Anything left standing was entombed in a sheath of snow.

Even the ancient mausoleum, crumbling with age, could not bare the sting of the wind and the bite of the cold. Its once fine pillars groaned and creaked in protest to the thrashing given by the ice and the wind and the cold. Finally, with one last roar of crashing stones, it gave itself to the wind. There, it rested, its royal heart crushed by the weight of the load.

And yet a tiny sapling - bleached white with cold - dared raise its noble crown for one grasping move towards the frozen sky.

For many years the Winter Tree grew where the mausoleum once stood. Moss grew and grasses covered the ruins. The other trees drew back, creating a vast plain land that lacked all but wildlife. Nothing remained of the old world but the uneven ground, which the roots twisted and grew around, holding the soil in place.

Steadily, the winters grew milder and the lands became habitable once again. Birds, reptiles, beasts and all manner of creature ventured warily into the Tree's domain. In the dead of winter, when no other plant dared share its life, the Tree unfurled its white leaves and offered up the most dazzling, silvery fruit. As the fruit split and dropped its pale nuts to the earth, the creatures ventured out from their burrows, pulled by a dire need to be near the Tree.

The creatures gnawed at the nuts of the tree and birds took the silver husks way back to the safety of the forests. Those that hunted prey ate the mice and voles that sat between the Tree's exposed roots. All those who feasted upon the Winter Tree's bounty became large, and bold, and wily. They were the most noble of creatures and their pelts were drained white as stigmata of their feast.


That spring, a motley caravan of peoples came passing by and rested their steeds by the roots of the Tree. Though neither their steeds nor they were stained by the Tree, they felt rejuvenated, nourished, whole. How surprised they were by the Tree's virtues!

The news soon spread of the marvellous Winter Tree and stories of its powers became known across the lands. People came and were awed by the white creatures and the miracles they saw. Even a sanctuary was built atop the ruins of the old world, in honour of the Winter Tree and soon a thriving town was centred by its beauty.


Last came the scholars and wizards. Drawn by the power of the Tree, they craved to know how such a thing could come to pass and from where it drew its energy. In their findings they became aware that the Tree was in fact sentient, drawing life from the air, the other trees and from the earth itself. What passed from the Tree was in fact a small part of its very spirit.


Alas, that was many years ago. No longer does the Tree bear fruit through the winter. No longer do the leaves cure the ill. No longer to the plains flourish with bountiful crops. No longer do people and their animal companions feel assured of their lives through mild winters. In winter, the place is icey, inhospitable and hostile, as are the creatures that once supped upon the Tree's feast. They stir at the edges of the ever-encroaching forest, sneaking out late at night and attacking when the townsfolk seem at their weakest. To the people, it would seem as though the once wily beasts had become wicked, for many a family have known the bite of their tooth and claw.


And so, on the equinox of autumn, the people have decided they can no longer let the issue lay rest. They must act. They have called a Santuary meeting to decide the fate of the Winter Tree. To take up arms against the wicked beasts in order to appease the Tree, to flee the land they have loved for generations, or to quest out the cause of the ill and pray they will survive the winter.

Hello!
I am da first to post something...dun dun duuunnnnnn

In any case, I was thinking about joining as either...
some type of female fighter
or
some kind of male healer

I am leaning toward the girl though because I have a ton of guy characters to roleplay right now. Yea...

Just curious but why do you say the fighter? haha

Okay...maybe I will. haha

Oh come on... You can't see Tifty being a scout of some type? He'd be a head of the group cause of how energetic he is or something, spot enemies while hidden or becomes discovered. Runs back to Adara and possibly the fighter for help, if he's discovered.

If he isn't discovered he could sneak back to Adara and possible fighter, inform them of what's ahead so they could bait the creature/monster/enemy into a trap. Though Tifty might be a bit nervous about being the bait.

... sweatdrop of course this is probably a ton of speculation on my part, but it would give the lad some combat experience.

Oh though how would he feel about being bait for a trap? Ah that'd be such a fun scenario X3

Idk it'd probably involve some mercenaries and him not belonging there so they go to get him or something. If he's skillful enough not to be seen so Adara and possible fighter can form a plan.

I really hope this fear of arrows isn't a phobia.